Steam-using facility simulation system and method for searching approach for improving steam-using facility

ABSTRACT

A steam-using facility simulation system for efficiently searching for an approach for improving a steam-using facility that is effective in overall improvement of a steam-using facility and a method for searching for an approach for improving a steam-using facility are provided. The system includes storage means configured to store steam usage state information of the steam-using facility; input means to which facility improving approach information of the steam-using facility is input; simulating means configured to compute predicted steam usage state information of the steam-using facility after implementation of the improving approach based on the steam usage state information of the steam-using facility stored in the storage means and the facility improving approach information input to the input means; and output means configured to output the predicted steam usage state information of the steam-using facility computed by the simulating means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a steam-using facility simulationsystem used for searching an appropriate facility improving approach fora steam-using facility, such as chemical plant, and a method forsearching an approach for improving a steam-using facility.

BACKGROUND ART

For this type of method for searching an approach for improving asteam-using facility, as one conventional example, there can bementioned a method in which the facility improving approach includesreplacing or repairing a steam trap, including steps of: diagnosing apresent steam trap provided in the steam-using facility; based on adiagnosis result, computing a trap-passed steam loss amount for theentire steam-using facility due to trap defect or the like, by means ofarithmetic addition; computing a possible reduction amount in thetrap-passed steam loss amount that would be obtained by implementing thefacility improving approach, by means of arithmetic addition; computinga predicted total steam supply amount after implementation of theimproving approach by subtracting the reduction amount in thetrap-passed steam loss amount from a present total steam supply amountof the steam-using facility; and determining whether or not the facilityimproving approach is appropriate, based on a magnitude of the predictedtotal steam supply amount after implementation of the improving approach(see Patent Document 1 below).

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No.    2005-114366A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However in general, in the steam-using facility, after high-pressuresteam generated in a boiler or the like is used in a steam-using deviceor the like, the used steam is reused as medium-pressure or low-pressuresteam in another steam-using device, and thus a steam usage state as awhole becomes complicated. Therefore, in the case of the conventionaltechnique in which the predicted total steam supply amount afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is calculated merelyby subtracting a reduction amount in the trap-passed steam loss amountobtained by implementation of the facility improving approach from apresent total steam supply amount of the steam-using facility, there aredisadvantages that accuracy of the predicted total steam supply amountitself becomes poor, and effects of the facility improving approach onthe steam-using facility cannot be fully examined. This further leads toinaccurate evaluation regarding whether or not the facility improvingapproach is appropriate, and thus there arises a problem that it isdifficult to search for a facility improving approach that is effectivein overall improvement of the steam-using facility.

In view of the above, the main object of the present invention is toprovide a steam-using facility simulation system for efficientlysearching for a facility improving approach that is effective in overallimprovement of a steam-using facility and a method for searching for anapproach for improving a steam-using facility.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided asteam-using facility simulation system including: storage meansconfigured to store steam usage state information of a steam-usingfacility; input means to which facility improving approach informationof the steam-using facility is input; simulating means configured tocompute predicted steam usage state information of the steam-usingfacility after implementation of an improving approach based on thesteam usage state information of the steam-using facility stored in thestorage means and the facility improving approach information input tothe input means; and output means configured to output the predictedsteam usage state information of the steam-using facility computed bythe simulating means.

According to the present configuration, the predicted steam usage stateinformation of the steam-using facility after implementation of theimproving approach computed by the simulating means is output by theoutput means, based on the steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility stored in the storage means and the facilityimproving approach information input to the input means. Accordingly,based on the simulation result that has been output, one can accuratelyassess effects of the implementation of the facility improving approachon the complicated steam usage state of the steam-using facility.Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently search for a facilityimproving approach that is effective in overall improvement of thesteam-using facility.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the simulating means isconfigured to compute the predicted steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility after implementation of the improving approachbased on multiple pieces of the facility improving approach informationinput to the input means.

According to the present configuration, simulation results can beobtained with respect to a plurality of the facility improvingapproaches. Accordingly, for example, by comparing the plurality of thesimulation results, merits and demerits of each facility improvingapproach can be elucidated. Therefore, a request of an owner, manager orthe like of the steam-using facility can be easily affected, andaccordingly, it becomes possible to further efficiently search for afacility improving approach that is effective in overall improvement ofthe steam-using facility.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the simulating means isconfigured to select one or more pieces of the facility improvingapproach information from among multiple pieces of the facilityimproving approach information input to the input means, and to computethe predicted steam usage state information of the steam-using facilityafter implementation of the improving approach based on the selectedfacility improving approach information.

According to the present configuration, simulation results can beobtained with respect to arbitrarily selected facility improvingapproaches, while eliminating a facility improving approach that is notrequired to be simulated, such as a facility improving approach whichcannot be implemented due to a contract or the like by the owner,manager or the like of the steam-using facility, from a subject of thesearch, among a plurality of the facility improving approaches.Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently search for a facilityimproving approach that is effective in overall improvement of thesteam-using facility.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the simulating means isconfigured to combine multiple pieces of the facility improving approachinformation input to the input means to obtain combined facilityimproving approach information, and to compute the predicted steam usagestate information of the steam-using facility after implementation ofthe improving approach based on the combined facility improving approachinformation.

According to the present configuration, the combined facility improvingapproach obtained by combining multiple pieces of the facility improvingapproach information input to the input means is a subject of thesimulation, and thus variations in the facility improving approach whichis a subject of the simulation can be increased. Therefore, it becomespossible to further efficiently search for a facility improving approachthat is effective in overall improvement of the steam-using facility.

It should be noted that the multiple pieces of the facility improvingapproach information to be combined into the combined facility improvingapproach information are not limited to all of the multiple pieces ofthe facility improving approach information input to the input means,and alternatively, they may be a portion selected from the multiplepieces of the facility improving approach information input to the inputmeans.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the output means isconfigured to output the facility improving approach information bycategory used in the computation by the simulating means and at the sametime the predicted steam usage state information of the steam-usingfacility computed by the simulating means.

According to the present configuration, one can assess both the facilityimproving approach information by category used in the computation bythe simulating means and the predicted steam usage state information ofthe steam-using facility computed by the simulating means at the sametime. Therefore, for example, a search for the facility improvingapproach can be effectively prevented from becoming inappropriate, whichmay otherwise be caused by error in correspondence relationship betweenthe facility improving approach and the predicted steam usage stateinformation.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the output means isconfigured to output multiple pieces of the facility improving approachinformation by category input to the input means in such a manner that apiece of the facility improving approach information by category used inthe computation by the simulating means from among multiple pieces ofthe facility improving approach information by category input to theinput means is distinguishable.

According to the present configuration, one can assess the predictedsteam usage state information of the steam-using facility computed bythe simulating means, in consideration of evaluation or the like of thefacility improving approach used in the computation by the simulatingmeans among a plurality of the facility improving approaches input tothe input means. Therefore, it becomes possible to further efficientlysearch for a facility improving approach that is effective in overallimprovement of the steam-using facility.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the output means isconfigured to output the steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility stored in the storage means and at the same timethe predicted steam usage state information of the steam-using facilitycomputed by the simulating means.

According to the present configuration, one can assess both the steamusage state information and the predicted steam usage state informationat the same time. Therefore, for example, one can effectively identifyportions with changes and portions without changes in terms of the usedsteam amount or the like before and after implementation of the facilityimproving approach, and it becomes possible to further efficientlysearch for a facility improving approach that is effective in overallimprovement of the steam-using facility.

In an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodfor searching for an approach for improving a steam-using facilityincluding steps of diagnosing the steam-using facility, and based on adiagnosis result, conducting a current situation survey on thesteam-using facility for assessing a steam usage state of thesteam-using facility; assuming a facility improving approach to berealized based on the steam usage state of the steam-using facilityassessed through the current situation survey on the facility, andconducting an improving simulation for simulating a predicted steamusage state of the steam-using facility after implementation of thefacility improving approach; and searching for an appropriate facilityimproving approach based on the predicted steam usage state of thesteam-using facility obtained by the improving simulation.

According to the present configuration, with respect to the facilityimproving approach assumed based on the steam usage state of thesteam-using facility assessed through the current situation survey onthe facility, after conducting an improving simulation for simulating apredicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach, an appropriatefacility improving approach is searched based on the predicted steamusage state of the steam-using facility obtained by the improvingsimulation. Accordingly, one can accurately assess effects of theimplementation of the facility improving approach on a complicated steamusage state of the steam-using facility. Therefore, it becomes possibleto efficiently search for a facility improving approach that iseffective in overall improvement of the steam-using facility.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, any one of the following isassessed as the steam usage state of the steam-using facility throughthe current situation survey:

(a) whether or not a steam supply pressure is appropriate from aviewpoint of an entire balance of the steam-using facility; (b) whetheror not a steam supply method is appropriate; (c) how a discharge ofwater of vapor condensation is performed; and (d) whether or not thewater of vapor condensation is effectively fed to a recycling systemincluding a boiler.

To put it another way, by assessing the item (a), for example animproving approach such as reducing steam supply pressure can be assumedto be realized; by assessing the item (b), for example an improvingapproach such as changing the steam supply method or the like can beassumed to be realized; by assessing the item (c), for example, animproving approach such as reciprocally changing a steam trap and avalve or the like can be assumed to be realized; and by assessing theitem (d), for example an improving approach such as changing a feedingchannel for water of vapor condensation or the like can be assumed to berealized.

To sum up, according to the present configuration, the improvingapproach which has a high effect on the steam usage state of thesteam-using facility can be assumed to be realized, and thus it becomespossible to further efficiently search for a facility improving approachthat is effective in overall improvement of the steam-using facility.

In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the improving simulation,the predicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is simulated withrespect to a plurality of the facility improving approaches.

According to the present configuration, simulation results can beobtained with respect to a plurality of the facility improvingapproaches. Accordingly, for example, by comparing the plurality of thefacility improving approaches, merits and demerits of each facilityimproving approach can be effectively elucidated. Therefore, a requestof an owner, manager or the like of the steam-using facility can beeasily affected based on the search for the facility improving approach,and accordingly, it becomes possible to further efficiently search for afacility improving approach that is effective in overall improvement ofthe steam-using facility.

In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the improvingsimulation, the predicted steam usage state of the steam-using facilityafter implementation of the facility improving approach is simulatedwith respect to one or more facility improving approach arbitrarilyselected from a plurality of the facility improving approaches.

According to the present configuration, simulation results can beobtained with respect to arbitrarily selected facility improvingapproaches, while eliminating a facility improving approach that is notrequired to be simulated, such as a facility improving approach whichcannot be implemented due to a contract or the like by the owner,manager or the like of the steam-using facility, from a subject of thesearch, among a plurality of the facility improving approaches.Therefore, it becomes possible to further efficiently search for afacility improving approach that is effective in overall improvement ofthe steam-using facility.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the improvingsimulation, the predicted steam usage state of the steam-using facilityafter implementation of the facility improving approach is simulatedwith respect to a combined facility improving approach obtained bycombining a plurality of the facility improving approaches.

According to the present configuration, the combined facility improvingapproach obtained by combining a plurality of the facility improvingapproaches is a subject of the search, and thus variations in thefacility improving approaches which is a subject of the search can beincreased. Therefore, it becomes possible to further efficiently searchfor a facility improving approach that is effective in overallimprovement of the steam-using facility.

It should be noted that the facility improving approaches to be combinedinto the combined facility improving approach are not limited to all ofthe assumed facility improving approaches, and alternatively, they maybe a portion selected from the plurality of the assumed facilityimproving approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a steam-using facility.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a simulation system.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a simulation system.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a simulation system.

FIG. 5 illustrates an output screen image.

FIG. 6 illustrates an output screen image.

FIG. 7 illustrates an output screen image.

FIG. 8 illustrates an output screen image.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an entire configuration of a plant as one example of asteam-using facility, in which steam at appropriate pressure is sent tovarious steam-using devices, through a high-pressure steam pipe 1configured to feed steam at high pressure, a medium-pressure steam pipe2 configured to feed steam at medium pressure, and a low-pressure steampipe 3 configured to feed steam at low pressure.

To the high-pressure steam pipe 1, steam at high pressure is suppliedfrom a first boiler 4, a second boiler 5 and a high-pressure steamsupply channel 6 led from other channels, all as steam supply means.Steam at high pressure supplied to the high-pressure steam pipe 1 isthen supplied to a second steam turbine power generator 11, a firsthigh-pressure steam turbine 8, a second high-pressure steam turbine 9,and a plurality of high-pressure steam generators 10, all connected tothe high-pressure steam pipe 1 as steam-using devices, and used therein.

Between the second boiler 5 and the high-pressure steam pipe 1, a firststeam turbine power generator 7 is arranged in parallel, at which aportion or the entirety of the steam at high pressure from the secondboiler 5 is used to generate electricity, and from which steam at highpressure now depressurized in the electric generation is supplied to thehigh-pressure steam pipe 1.

A first decompression supply channel 12 is for depressurizing the steamat high pressure in the high-pressure steam pipe 1 and supplying thedepressurized steam as steam at medium pressure to the medium-pressuresteam pipe 2. A portion of the steam in the high-pressure steam pipe 1is appropriately supplied to the medium-pressure steam pipe 2 by openingand closing a control valve 12 a disposed on the first decompressionsupply channel 12.

The steam at high pressure supplied from the second boiler 5 to thesecond steam turbine power generator 11 is depressurized to steam atmedium pressure by being used in electric generation in the second steamturbine power generator 11, and then supplied to the medium-pressuresteam pipe 2. In addition, the steam at high pressure supplied from thehigh-pressure steam pipe 1 to the second high-pressure steam turbine 9is depressurized to steam at low pressure by being used in the secondhigh-pressure steam turbine 9, and then supplied to the low-pressuresteam pipe 3.

To the medium-pressure steam pipe 2, steam at medium pressure issupplied from the first decompression supply channel 12, the secondsteam turbine power generator 11 and a medium-pressure steam supplychannel 13 led from other channels. Steam at medium pressure supplied tothe medium-pressure steam pipe 2 is then supplied to a medium-pressuresteam turbine 14 and a plurality of medium-pressure steam generators 15,all connected to the medium-pressure steam pipe 2 as steam-usingdevices, and used therein.

A second decompression supply channel 16 is for depressurizing the steamat medium pressure in the medium-pressure steam pipe 2 and supplying thedepressurized steam as steam at low pressure to the low-pressure steampipe 3. A portion of the steam in the medium-pressure steam pipe 2 isappropriately supplied to the low-pressure steam pipe 3 as steam at lowpressure by opening and closing a pressure reducing valve 16 a disposedon the second decompression supply channel 16. In addition, the steam atmedium pressure supplied from the medium-pressure steam pipe 2 to themedium-pressure steam turbine 14 is depressurized to steam at lowpressure by being used in the medium-pressure steam turbine 14, and thensupplied to the low-pressure steam pipe 3.

To the low-pressure steam pipe 3, steam at low pressure is supplied fromthe second high-pressure steam turbine 9 and the medium-pressure steamturbine 14. Steam at low pressure supplied to the low-pressure steampipe 3 is then supplied to a low-pressure steam generator 17 connectedto the low-pressure steam pipe 3, and used therein. In addition,excessive steam at low pressure in the low-pressure steam pipe 3 isdischarged as unnecessary steam from the system through a vent pipe 18.

Finally, water of vapor condensation generated from the steam used inthe steam-using devices 10,15,17 and water of vapor condensationgenerated during the supply process in the steam supply pipes 1 to 3 issent to a condensed water tank 19, and after being heated appropriatelyby a heater 20 as the low-pressure steam generator 17, the heated wateris returned to the boilers 4,5.

FIG. 2 is a configuration of a steam-using facility simulation system Sused for searching for an approach for improving facility, such as theplant as described above. The simulation system S is composed of, forexample, a computer and peripheral devices thereof.

The simulation system S includes: a storage means S1 configured to storesteam usage state information Jb of the plant; an input means S2 towhich facility improving approach information Js regarding the plant isinput; a simulating means S3 configured to compute predicted steam usagestate information Jy of the plant after implementation of the improvingapproach, based on the steam usage state information Jb of the plantstored in the storage means S1 and the facility improving approachinformation Js input to the input means S2; and an output means S4configured to output the predicted steam usage state information Jy ofthe plant computed by the simulating means S3.

The storage means S1 is formed of a hard disc built in a computer or thelike. The storage means S is configured to store information thatenables an assessment of the steam usage state, including: whether ornot the steam supply pressure is appropriate from a viewpoint of anentire balance of the plant; whether or not the steam supply method isappropriate; how a discharge of water of vapor condensation isperformed; and whether or not the water of vapor condensation iseffectively sent to a recycling system, such as boiler. Examples of thesteam usage state information Jb (see FIGS. 1 and 2) stored in thestorage means S1 include: information (e.g., flow rate, pressure andtemperature) of major portions of the steam, such as steam generated byeach of the boilers 4,5, steam supplied from each of the boilers 4,5 andeach of the steam supply channels 6,13 and the like to each of the steampipes 1 to 3, steam used by each of the steam-using devices 7 to11,14,15,17,20, steam supplied from each of the steam-using devices 7 to11,14,15,17,20 to each of the steam pipes 1 to 3, steam discharged fromthe vent pipe 18, steam supplied from each of the decompression supplypipes 12,16 to each of the steam pipes 1 to 3, and unknown steam whichis a sum of a passed steam loss in steam traps (piping trap, trace trapand the like) connected to each of the steam pipes 1 to 3 andcondensation in each of the pipes; information regarding specificationof each of the components 1 to 20; information regarding electricalgeneration amount at each of the steam turbine power generators 7,11;and information regarding power demand and received power amount of theplant.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the steam usagestate information Jb is input to the storage means S1, through a keyboard, a CD-ROM drive or a mouse connected to the computer, oralternatively, through a specialized terminal or the like provided inthe computer for a diagnostic device.

The input means S2 is composed of a key board, a CD-ROM drive or a mouseconnected to the computer, and is configured to receive an input of asingle or multiple pieces of the facility improving approach informationJs, which is selected by a searcher or the like based on the steam usagestate information Jb. For the facility improving approach, specificapproaches are assumed, such as those illustrated as items (1) to (6) inan improving approach display field g2 (see FIG. 5), which will bedescribed later.

The simulating means S3 is composed of a CPU and the like, which isbuilt in the computer and configured to implement a simulation programstored in the storage means S1. When a single piece of the facilityimproving approach information Js is input to the input means S2 asshown in FIG. 2, the simulating means S3 computes the predicted steamusage state information Jy of the plant after implementation of theimproving approach, based on the single facility improving approachinformation Js and the steam usage state information Jb stored in thestorage means S1.

When multiple pieces of the facility improving approach information Jsare input to the input means S2, the simulating means S3 receives one ormore pieces of the facility improving approach information Js selectedby a searcher.

When a single piece of the facility improving approach information Js isselected during the selecting process, as shown in FIG. 3, a computingprocess is performed in which the predicted steam usage stateinformation Jy is computed based on this single piece of the facilityimproving approach information Js and the steam usage state informationJb.

Examples of the predicted steam usage state information Jy asinformation after implementation of the facility improving approachinclude: information (e.g., flow rate, pressure and temperature) ofmajor portions of steam, such as steam generated by each of the boilers4,5, steam supplied from each of the boilers 4,5 and each of the steamsupply channels 6,13 and the like to each of the steam pipes 1 to 3,steam used by each of the steam-using devices 7 to 11,14,15,17,20, steamsupplied from each of the steam-using devices 7 to 11,14,15,17,20 toeach of the steam pipes 1 to 3, steam discharged from the vent pipe 18,steam supplied from each of the decompression supply pipes 12,16 to eachof the steam pipes 1 to 3, and unknown steam which is a sum of a passedsteam loss in steam traps connected to each of the steam pipes 1 to 3and condensation in each of the pipes; information regarding electricalgeneration amount at each of the steam turbine power generators 7,11;and information regarding power demand and received power amount of theplant.

Alternatively, when two or more pieces of the facility improvingapproach information Js,Js . . . are selected during the selectingprocess, as shown in FIG. 4, a combining process is performed in whichthe selected multiple pieces of the facility improving approachinformation Js,Js . . . are combined to give combined facility improvingapproach information Js′, and then a computing process is performed inwhich the predicted steam usage state information Jy is computed basedon this combined facility improving approach information Js′ and thesteam usage state information Jb.

In the present embodiment, the selecting process is performed by asearcher through selecting a specific piece of facility improvingapproach information Js from among the multiple pieces of the facilityimproving approach information Js input to the input means S2, on adisplay screen output by the output means S4 (which will be describedlater) using a mouse or the like connected to the computer.

The output means S4 is composed of a display or the like connected tothe computer. In the present embodiment, for example, when the item “(4)Repairing steam leaking portion (valve, steam trap)” is selected fromamong multiple pieces of the facility improving approach informationJs,Js . . . (the items (1) to (6) in the improving approach displayfield g2 in FIG. 5) input to the input means S2, the output means S4outputs an image G shown in FIG. 5 as a simulation result by thesimulating means S3.

In the image G, there are displayed: a facility configuration displayfield g1 showing an entire configuration of the plant; the improvingapproach display field g2 showing facility improving approach input tothe input means S2; an electric power display field g3 showing powerdemand, received power amount and electrical generation amount of theplant; a steam demand etc display field g4 showing steam demand and thelike of the plant; and a total steam supply amount etc display field g5showing total steam supply amount and the like of the plant.

In addition to display bodies 1 to 20 each representing the componentdescribed with reference to FIG. 1, the facility configuration displayfield g1 also shows bodies 21 to 23 which are assumed as destinations ofunknown steam amount in corresponding steam pipes 1 to 3, the unknownsteam amount for each pipe being obtained as a sum total value of apassed steam loss amount in various steam traps (piping trap, trace trapand the like) connected to the corresponding steam pipe and an amount ofsteam loss caused by condensation during feeding through thecorresponding steam pipe.

In the vicinity of each of the display bodies 1 to 23 in the facilityconfiguration display field g1, information before and afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is shown in anupper-lower double row style (upper row: information afterimplementation of the improving approach, lower row: information beforeimplementation of the improving approach), which information may includevapor amount (t/h) passing through the corresponding display body, andif desired, steam temperature (° C.), electrical generation amount (MW)and the like.

In the electric power display field g3, information before and afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is shown in a table ina right-left double column style (left column: information afterimplementation of the improving approach, right column: informationbefore implementation of the improving approach) with respect to powerdemand, received power amount and electrical generation amount of theplant (MW).

In the steam demand etc display field g4, information before and afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is shown in a table ina right-left double column style (left column: predicted informationafter implementation of the improving approach, right column:information before implementation of the improving approach) withrespect to steam demand (t/h) of the plant, vapor amount at highpressure (in the present embodiment, displayed as “50 k”), vapor amountat medium pressure (in the present embodiment, displayed as “15 k”),vapor amount at low pressure (in the present embodiment, displayed as “2k”), vapor amount discharged from the vent pipe 18 (in the presentembodiment, displayed as “ATM”) and unknown steam ratio (%) of theplant.

In the improving approach information display field g2, information offacility improving approach is displayed by category using characters,based on multiple pieces of the facility improving approach informationJs input to the input means S2, along with checkboxes each indicatingwhether or not the corresponding facility improving approach is selectedfor implementing the selecting process in the simulating means S3. Inother words, in the improving approach information display field g2, themultiple pieces of the facility improving approach information bycategory input to the input means S2 is output in such a manner that thepiece of the facility improving approach information by category used inthe computation by the simulating means S3 is distinguishable(specifically, visually distinguishable) from the multiple pieces of thefacility improving approach information by category input to the inputmeans S2.

In the total steam supply amount etc display field g5, total steamsupply amount (t/h) of the plant after implementation of the improvingapproach, unknown steam amount (t/h), and unknown steam ratio (%) (i.e.,a ratio of an unknown steam amount to a total steam supply amount) areshown.

To put it another way, when a searcher selects the item (4) as facilityimproving approach (specifically, a searcher clicks a checkbox for theitem (4) from among the improving approach information display fieldg2), the simulating means S3 selects the facility improving approachinformation Js related to the item (4), and based on the selectedfacility improving approach information Js related to the item (4) andthe steam usage state information Jb, computes the predicted steam usagestate information Jy after implementation of the improving approach.

In the present embodiment, for example, in a case where the steamleakage is eliminated, the simulating means S3 computes that vaporamount related to each of the display bodies 21 to 23 (i.e., unknownsteam amount of each of the steam pipes 1 to 3) is reduced, and inassociation with this, computes that amounts of vapor supplied from thefirst boiler 4 to the high-pressure steam pipe 1, vapor supplied to thefirst steam turbine power generator 7, and vapor supplied from thesecond steam turbine power generator 11 to the medium-pressure steampipe 2 are reduced, and further computes that the total steam supplyamount is reduced by 12 (t/h), the unknown steam amount is reduced by 17(t/h), and the unknown steam ratio is reduced. Then, the output means S4outputs the image G shown in FIG. 5 as a simulation result by thesimulating means S3.

Alternatively, when a searcher selects the items “(1) Revealing flashsteam from collecting drain initially hidden by cooling tower” and “(2)Switching use of medium-pressure steam in heating device to low-pressuresteam by piping modification” as facility improving approach, thesimulating means S3 first selects the facility improving approachinformation Js,Js of the items (1), (2) and combines them to obtain thecombined facility improving approach information Js′, and based on thiscombined facility improving approach information Js′ and the steam usagestate information Jb, computes the predicted steam usage stateinformation Jy after implementation of the improving approach. Then, theoutput means S outputs the image G shown in FIG. 6 as a simulationresult by the simulating means S3.

When a searcher selects the item “(5) Using steam compressor for drawingin low-pressure steam to collect and effectively utilize the steam” inaddition to the items (1), (2) as facility improving approach, thesimulating means S3 first selects the facility improving approachinformation Js,Js,Js of the items (1), (2), (5) and combines them toobtain the combined facility improving approach information Js′, andbased on this combined facility improving approach information Js′ andthe steam usage state information Jb, computes the predicted steam usagestate information Jy after implementation of the improving approach.Then, the output means S4 outputs the image G shown in FIG. 7 as asimulation result.

When a searcher selects the items “(3) Increasing diameter of compressorturbine piping to reduce pressure loss and used steam amount” and “(6)Terminating steam turbine and preferentially using low-cost motor-sidepump to save electricity expense,” in addition to the items (1), (2),(4), (5) as facility improving approach, the simulating means S3 firstselects the facility improving approach information Js,Js . . . of theitems (1) to (6) and combines them to obtain the combined facilityimproving approach information Js′, and based on this combined facilityimproving approach information Js′ and the steam usage state informationJb, computes the predicted steam usage state information Jy afterimplementation of the improving approach. Then, the output means S4outputs the image G shown in FIG. 8 as a simulation result.

To sum up, the simulating means S3 is configured as any one of thefollowings: to compute the predicted steam usage state information Jybased on multiple pieces of the facility improving approach informationJs input to the input means S2; to select one or more pieces of thefacility improving approach information Js from among multiple pieces ofthe facility improving approach information Js input to the input meansS2 and to compute the predicted steam usage state information Jy basedon the selected facility improving approach information Js; or tocombine multiple pieces of the facility improving approach informationJs,Js . . . input to the input means S2 to obtain the combined facilityimproving approach information Js′ and to compute the predicted steamusage state information Jy based on the combined facility improvingapproach information Js′.

In addition, the output means S4 is configured to output, at the sametime, the facility improving approach information by category used inthe computation by the simulating means S3, the predicted steam usagestate information Jy computed by the simulating means S3 and the steamusage state information Jb stored in the storage means, in such a mannerthat the facility improving approach information by category used in thecomputation by the simulating means S3 is distinguishable from multiplepieces of the facility improving approach information by category inputto the input means S2.

Next, the method for searching an approach for improving a facilityaccording to the present invention will be described.

First, with respect to the target plant, a searcher performs a currentsituation survey on the facility to assess a steam usage state of theplant. In this current situation survey on the facility, the searcheractually diagnoses the steam pipes 1 to 3 as well as steam traps,steam-using devices and the like connected to the steam pipes, using adiagnostic device or the like, or predicts a deterioration state using ablueprint or the like. In accordance with the diagnosis result, thesearcher obtains the steam usage state information Jb as describedabove. The searcher then assesses the steam usage state of the plantbased on the steam usage state information Jb.

Preferable examples of the steam usage state to be assessed include:whether or not the steam supply pressure is appropriate from a viewpointof an entire balance of the plant; whether or not the steam supplymethod is appropriate; how a discharge of water of vapor condensation isperformed; and whether or not the water of vapor condensation iseffectively sent to a recycling system, such as boiler.

Second, the searcher inputs the steam usage state information Jbobtained by the current situation survey on the facility, to thesimulation system S. The steam usage state information Jb input to thesimulation system S is stored in the storage means S1.

In accordance with the steam usage state or the steam usage stateinformation Jb, the searcher assumes a facility improving approach to berealized based on his/her experience or the like, and inputs thefacility improving approach information Js to the input means S2 of thesimulation system S.

Then, by using the simulation system S, the searcher performs animproving simulation that simulates the predicted steam usage stateinformation Jy after implementation of the improving approach, and basedon the simulation result, conducts a search of the appropriate facilityimproving approach information Js, in consideration of the predictedsteam usage state regarding an item corresponding to the steam usagestate assessed through the current situation survey on the facility.

Specifically, to the owner, manager or the like of the plant, thesearcher may sequentially show simulation results regarding the multiplepieces of the facility improving approach information Js (i.e., theimage G output by the output means S4 as a simulation result by thesimulating means S3), or simulation results regarding the combinedfacility improving approach information Jy′ obtained by combiningmultiple pieces of the facility improving approach information Js, andmay search for an appropriate facility improving approach while takingwishes of the owner into consideration.

Other Embodiments

Next, other embodiments will be described below.

In the embodiment described above, the output means S3 outputs both thesteam usage state information Jb before implementation of the facilityimproving approach and the predicted steam usage state information Jyafter implementation of the facility improving approach at the sametime, as the simulation result to be output with respect to the facilityimproving approach information Jy. Alternatively, when the simulation isrepeated multiple times, instead of outputting the steam usage stateinformation Jb before implementation of the facility improving approach,or in addition to outputting the same, the predicted steam usage stateinformation based on the simulation immediately before may be output atthe same time.

The output means S4 outputs the image G on the screen of the display orthe like shown in the embodiment described above, and alternatively, mayoutput (e.g., print) the image G on a paper or the like.

A method for displaying the image G output by the output means S4 is notlimited to one in the embodiment described above, and various displayingmethods can be applied.

A method for storing the steam usage state information Jb in the storagemeans S1 is not limited to one in the embodiment described above, andvarious methods can be applied.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to management of various steam-usingfacilities using steam, such as chemical plant.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A steam-using facility simulation systemcomprising: storage means configured to store steam usage stateinformation of a steam-using facility; input means to which facilityimproving approach information of the steam-using facility is input;simulating means configured to compute predicted steam usage stateinformation of the steam-using facility after implementation of animproving approach based on the steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility stored in the storage means and the facilityimproving approach information input to the input means; and outputmeans configured to output the predicted steam usage state informationof the steam-using facility computed by the simulating means.
 2. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the simulating means is configuredto compute the predicted steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility after implementation of the improving approachbased on multiple pieces of the facility improving approach informationinput to the input means.
 3. The system according to claim 2, whereinthe output means is configured to output the steam usage stateinformation of the steam-using facility stored in the storage means andat the same time the predicted steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility computed by the simulating means.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the simulating means is configured toselect one or more pieces of the facility improving approach informationfrom among multiple pieces of the facility improving approachinformation input to the input means, and to compute the predicted steamusage state information of the steam-using facility after implementationof the improving approach based on the selected facility improvingapproach information.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein theoutput means is configured to output the steam usage state informationof the steam-using facility stored in the storage means and at the sametime the predicted steam usage state information of the steam-usingfacility computed by the simulating means.
 6. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the simulating means is configured to combine multiplepieces of the facility improving approach information input to the inputmeans to obtain combined facility improving approach information, and tocompute the predicted steam usage state information of the steam-usingfacility after implementation of the improving approach based on thecombined facility improving approach information.
 7. The systemaccording to claim 6, wherein the output means is configured to outputthe steam usage state information of the steam-using facility stored inthe storage means and at the same time the predicted steam usage stateinformation of the steam-using facility computed by the simulatingmeans.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the output means isconfigured to output the facility improving approach information bycategory used in the computation by the simulating means and at the sametime the predicted steam usage state information of the steam-usingfacility computed by the simulating means.
 9. The system according toclaim 8, wherein the output means is configured to output multiplepieces of the facility improving approach information by category inputto the input means in such a manner that a piece of the facilityimproving approach information by category used in the computation bythe simulating means from among multiple pieces of the facilityimproving approach information by category input to the input means isdistinguishable.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the outputmeans is configured to output the steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility stored in the storage means and at the same timethe predicted steam usage state information of the steam-using facilitycomputed by the simulating means.
 11. The system according to claim 8,wherein the output means is configured to output the steam usage stateinformation of the steam-using facility stored in the storage means andat the same time the predicted steam usage state information of thesteam-using facility computed by the simulating means.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the output means is configured to outputthe steam usage state information of the steam-using facility stored inthe storage means and at the same time the predicted steam usage stateinformation of the steam-using facility computed by the simulatingmeans.
 13. A method for searching for an approach for improving asteam-using facility comprising steps of: diagnosing the steam-usingfacility, and based on a diagnosis result, conducting a currentsituation survey on the steam-using facility for assessing a steam usagestate of the steam-using facility; assuming a facility improvingapproach to be realized based on the steam usage state of thesteam-using facility assessed through the current situation survey onthe facility, and conducting an improving simulation for simulating apredicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach; and searching for anappropriate facility improving approach based on the predicted steamusage state of the steam-using facility obtained by the improvingsimulation.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein any one of thefollowing is assessed as the steam usage state of the steam-usingfacility through the current situation survey: (a) whether or not asteam supply pressure is appropriate from a viewpoint of an entirebalance of the steam-using facility; (b) whether or not a steam supplymethod is appropriate; (c) how a discharge of water of vaporcondensation is performed; and (d) whether or not the water of vaporcondensation is effectively fed to a recycling system including aboiler.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the improvingsimulation, the predicted steam usage state of the steam-using facilityafter implementation of the facility improving approach is simulatedwith respect to a combined facility improving approach obtained bycombining a plurality of the facility improving approaches.
 16. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein in the improving simulation, thepredicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is simulated withrespect to a plurality of the facility improving approaches.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16, wherein in the improving simulation, thepredicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is simulated withrespect to a combined facility improving approach obtained by combininga plurality of the facility improving approaches.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein in the improving simulation, thepredicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is simulated withrespect to one or more facility improving approach arbitrarily selectedfrom a plurality of the facility improving approaches.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein in the improving simulation, thepredicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is simulated withrespect to a combined facility improving approach obtained by combininga plurality of the facility improving approaches.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein in the improving simulation, thepredicted steam usage state of the steam-using facility afterimplementation of the facility improving approach is simulated withrespect to a combined facility improving approach obtained by combininga plurality of the facility improving approaches.